In this week’s Student Government Association (SGA) meeting, Senator Kiersten Freedman presented an Add/Drop period resolution for SGA to vote on. The resolution states students don't have enough time to gauge the weight of their semester.
According to Freedman, University of Mary Washington (UMW) has a three-week add/drop period, and they also have a higher retention rate than Longwood. Freedman is hoping to get the add/drop period at Longwood extended to 10 class days to better ensure student success.
President-elect and Executive Senator for Committee Relations Joshua Darst moved to fast-track and approve the resolution. SGA passed the motion.
During the open forum, Senator Joseph Hyman brought up the issue of students smoking in non-designated smoking areas. Hyman said that smoking affects a lot of people with asthma and wanted more enforcement for students to use designated smoking areas.
Senator Haleigh Pannell discussed concerns about a comment on the white supremacy posters seen on campus made by one of the panelists on the prospective student panel during the Crash on Campus program.
Dean of Student Engagement Cheryl Steele said that a student on the board made comments about razor blades being on the back of flyers. Longwood University Police Department (LUPD) Chief Col. Bob Beach responded by saying he hasn’t heard anything about razors on flyers, and that he wouldn’t let that happen on campus.
According to Steele, a Student Engagement staff member tried to intervene about the comment that was made and tried to question where the information came from.
Pannell said that one prospective student, in particular, started crying after being told about the razor blades, making Pannell even more concerned about the way the issue was being handled.
Senator Hyman also brought up the idea of creating a program where unused bonus dollars are given to some kind of charity so they do not go to waste at the end of the year.
During Historian Emily Moran’s report, Route 15’s constitution was approved. Route 15 is a co-ed a cappella group with nearly 30 potential members. Co-chair Jack Harmon said that co-chairs will be male and female, and the group will be the fourth acappella group on campus.
The second reading of the general budget for the 18-19 year was read by Treasurer Dustyn Hall. In addition, constitution and by-laws were given and all three were voted on and approved by the senate.
The next SGA meeting will take place on Tuesday, April 17 at 3:50 p.m. in the Martinelli Board Room located in the Maugans Alumni Center. It will be the first meeting with the new executive board.
Senator Kiersten Freedman presented a Add/Drop period extension to 10 days from five.
President-elect and Executive Senator for Committee Relations Joshua Darst fast-tracked the resolution.
Senator Joseph Hyman wanted to see more enforcement with smoking outside of the designated smoking areas.
